Rubbish payment deadline looming

ONLY 50% of the Waterford County Council’s 11,000 customers have paid the controversial new annual flat charge of €150 for refuse collection ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.

Council officials yesterday warned that from next Monday households who haven’t paid won’t have their refuse collected.

The man who introduced the charge, county manager Ray O’Dwyer yesterday said the charge was essential as the local authority’s current debit balance stands at €7.3 million.